virtual backgrounds not working | Community
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Newcomer
January 31, 2026
Question

virtual backgrounds not working

  • January 31, 2026
  • 1 reply
  • 31 views

All of a sudden in last week my video and virtual backgrounds are not working on my mac (Sonoma 14.8.3). My laptop and zoom app are all up to date. I have logged out and restarted both and nothing helps. What can i do??

    1 reply

    MGSR
    Community Manager
    Community Manager
    February 2, 2026

    Hello ​@Deb Lee Gould MEd!

    Welcome to the Zoom Community! We’re glad to have you here!

    Welcome to the Zoom Community! We're glad to have you here.

    If you’re using macOS, the background or blur effect may have been applied directly through your system rather than within Zoom. Once the meeting begins, look for the green video icon in the top-right corner of your Mac’s menu bar. Click the icon and uncheck “Background” to disable the virtual background or blur effect.

    Let me know if this helps or if you need further assistance.

    Newcomer
    February 2, 2026

    i have the blur function off as well as the virtual background. then in the app i try to add my own virtual background (and tried others) and it keeps saying ‘Virtual background still loading. Do you still want to use video?’ 

    everything is up to date and this JUST started a week ago. nothing has worked so far even deleting app and reloading.